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Post by Mjǿlner on Nov 17, 2016 15:31:33 GMT -5
For those on the outside wanting to look in, a SSA town hall meeting was nationally broadcast yesterday. Basic summary, the Commissioner stated that as of 01/20/2017 many many will be "departing" the SSA including herself. The Commissioner was very pointed in her response to audience questions (e.g., will there be raises, in 2017, how much, when, etc.)that those questions would not be answered. That instead, per the incoming administration directives, the proper questions now are who and what can be cut. The Commissioner advised all to start looking around now, agency wide, and make those determinations and to be prepared accordingly. I can't bring myself to hit the like button for this post, but as an outsider I appreciate the information and thank you for it. |
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Post by banks on Nov 17, 2016 16:21:05 GMT -5
Papa Judge, I like your new avatar. Sporty.
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Post by rp on Nov 17, 2016 17:03:28 GMT -5
For those on the outside wanting to look in, a SSA town hall meeting was nationally broadcast yesterday. Basic summary, the Commissioner stated that as of 01/20/2017 many many will be "departing" the SSA including herself. The Commissioner was very pointed in her response to audience questions (e.g., will there be raises, in 2017, how much, when, etc.)that those questions would not be answered. That instead, per the incoming administration directives, the proper questions now are who and what can be cut. The Commissioner advised all to start looking around now, agency wide, and make those determinations and to be prepared accordingly. Ugh. I guess we can still hold out hope that Congress will be more reluctant to cut SSA than other agencies because of the many things previously stated in this thread. Or maybe I am simply delusional.... |
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Post by banks on Nov 17, 2016 17:13:54 GMT -5
Bottom line, nobody knows what is going to happen in any branch of government right now. I just intend to take the test and interview and then forget about it and get on with my life. If it happens, it happens.
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momo
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Post by momo on Nov 17, 2016 17:16:19 GMT -5
Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, but Judge Allen told the new ALJs today that the next hiring wouldn't be until the middle of next year because of budget issues and to wait for the new group to get on the register. He also shot down any rumor of making an exception to allow the newbies to get on the transfer list before the first 15 months are up.
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Post by rp on Nov 17, 2016 17:16:41 GMT -5
Bottom line, nobody knows what is going to happen in any branch of government right now. I just intend to take the test and interview and then forget about it and get on with my life. If it happens, it happens. Great advice. And as Doris Day sang.... |
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Post by Pixie on Nov 17, 2016 18:54:12 GMT -5
Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, but Judge Allen told the new ALJs today that the next hiring wouldn't be until the middle of next year because of budget issues and to wait for the new group to get on the register. He also shot down any rumor of making an exception to allow the newbies to get on the transfer list before the first 15 months are up. That may be the plan today, but plans have a way of changing over time. I would have thought they would like to take some at the lower end of the register now that they are reachable. There are probably some Agency people they would like to scoop up. I am really surprised this is the plan. But then Judge Allen has a much better idea of who is on the register than I do. I thought they would do a smaller hire as soon as they got a budget and then another big hire once the newbies hit the register. Well, so much for my prognostic ability. Pixie |
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Post by Baymax on Nov 17, 2016 18:54:55 GMT -5
Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, but Judge Allen told the new ALJs today that the next hiring wouldn't be until the middle of next year because of budget issues and to wait for the new group to get on the register. He also shot down any rumor of making an exception to allow the newbies to get on the transfer list before the first 15 months are up. , somehow I KNEW you were going to post this first... as you sat right next to me!!!  On another related note (and in no way directed at momo), Judge Allen mentioned that he (and Judge Bice) often look at the board, so be warned. Post at your own risk. :-) |
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Post by aljwishhope on Nov 17, 2016 19:16:28 GMT -5
Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, but Judge Allen told the new ALJs today that the next hiring wouldn't be until the middle of next year because of budget issues and to wait for the new group to get on the register. He also shot down any rumor of making an exception to allow the newbies to get on the transfer list before the first 15 months are up. That may be the plan today, but plans have a way of changing over time. I would have thought they would like to take some at the lower end of the register now that they are reachable. There are probably some Agency people they would like to scoop up. I am really surprised this is the plan. But then Judge Allen has a much better idea of who is on the register than I do. I thought they would do a smaller hire as soon as they got a budget and then another big hire once the newbies hit the register. Well, so much for my prognostic ability. Pixie Thanks for the news and thanks for a sliver of hope Pixie. |
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Post by Baymax on Nov 17, 2016 19:48:57 GMT -5
Got one also I see it as a positive as it clears the way for another cert, maybe even this year? Generally FOAD's have been followed in short to medium order by new certs. Hard to say whether or not it means that this time with the New World Order coming in January. Guys, hate to be the bearer of bad news, but (as mentioned on another thread), both the Deputy Commissioner (two weeks ago) and Dep. Chief Judge Allen (today) stated that they're not planning to seek new certs until the middle of 2017 once the register is re-filled with all those currently going through the process. I'll admit that combined with the FOADs and the transfer list being circulated in the last couple of weeks would naturally make us all anxious that new certs were on the horizon. But ODAR's upper management made it clear that ALJ hiring is not going to happen until sometime next year. So the FOADs are out likely to wrap up the hiring process. |
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Post by pumpkin on Nov 17, 2016 20:38:41 GMT -5
Do you suppose that means the transfer process is also back burnered until mid-2017, or does that move independent of certs?
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Post by luckylady2 on Nov 17, 2016 20:52:59 GMT -5
Sorry, but I can confirm Baymax. We're under a Continuing Resolution and that is being extended. Word is that there will be no ALJ hiring until there is a budget.
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Post by Baymax on Nov 17, 2016 20:55:05 GMT -5
Do you suppose that means the transfer process is also back burnered until mid-2017, or does that move independent of certs? We actually asked the CALJ and DCALJ that very question. In short, not necessarily. Their answer was that they are not required to work the transfer list in a manner that correlates to new certs; but that the transfer process is linked directly to the business end of things - when they have a significant need for the purposes of getting the work done. Judge Allen used the example of if you're in City A which has a major backlog, and want to go to City B which is doing better than City A and where there now happens to be a vacancy, they're more likely to keep you in City A because you'll be better able to work on that city's backlog. They acknowledged that there are many people leaving ODAR (3 retirements just this week), and they will have the need to move people around. So there's a good chance that the transfer list may be floated a few times before the register is refilled next year, and it likely won't have any connection to new certs and new ALJ hiring. |
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momo
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Post by momo on Nov 17, 2016 22:18:57 GMT -5
Sorry to be a bearer of bad news, but Judge Allen told the new ALJs today that the next hiring wouldn't be until the middle of next year because of budget issues and to wait for the new group to get on the register. He also shot down any rumor of making an exception to allow the newbies to get on the transfer list before the first 15 months are up. That may be the plan today, but plans have a way of changing over time. I would have thought they would like to take some at the lower end of the register now that they are reachable. There are probably some Agency people they would like to scoop up. I am really surprised this is the plan. But then Judge Allen has a much better idea of who is on the register than I do. I thought they would do a smaller hire as soon as they got a budget and then another big hire once the newbies hit the register. Well, so much for my prognostic ability. Pixie I also think that it would be smart to do one more round before the register is refreshed, because I know there are some really good people that could be reached now that might be hard to reach later. Unfortunately, that's not the plan. |
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Post by jagvet on Nov 17, 2016 22:41:54 GMT -5
Hey, friends. Last year we had continuing resolutions and ALJ hires still went through. Don't assume that more CRs mean freezing ALJ slots. Maybe--maybe not. Pursue it and see what happens.
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Post by redryder on Nov 18, 2016 9:18:10 GMT -5
This was discussed before on another line of discussions. It is extremely unlikely there will be any hiring of new ALJs while under a CR. First the agency has no idea what money they will have or the number of Full Time Equivalents they will be allocated. FTE translates to warm bodies. Second the agency can make no commitment for relocation funds under a CR. This is borne out by the recent HOCALJ advertisements, none of which have provisions for relocation expenses. While this does not affect those outside the federal workforce, it does those who are in that group.
If we get the budget in March as predicted, ODAR will have its budget numbers by May and be in a position to look at hiring over the summer. The timetable given by Judge Allen is in sync with the budgetary process.
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Post by greendog on Nov 18, 2016 10:25:43 GMT -5
 There is always a nugget. As I read these posts, freeze-no freeze, hiring-no hiring, cert-no-cert, it is like I am being drawn into a hole of good/bad things depending at what time I am reading. I now know what an addict feels like.
The great thing is the camaraderie, laughs, and dare I say friendships on this board, and my life is great regardless of the outcome of this process.
Go Team! |
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Post by acttwo on Nov 18, 2016 11:54:23 GMT -5
There is always a nugget. As I read these posts, freeze-no freeze, hiring-no hiring, cert-no-cert, it is like I am being drawn into a hole of good/bad things depending at what time I am reading. I now know what an addict feels like.
The great thing is the camaraderie, laughs, and dare I say friendships on this board, and my life is great regardless of the outcome of this process.
Go Team! And Go Greendog! Thanks for the post! |
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Post by redryder on Nov 18, 2016 17:02:33 GMT -5
I have been pondering how this hiring process must appear to those in the pipeline who have no institutional knowledge or frame of reference beyond the onset of the hiring splurge that began in 2008. Unless ODAR has a long and extended freeze on all hiring, I do not expect we will ever see the hiring binges of the past. When the hiring started in 2008, there had been the total shutdown of the testing process except for veterans as a result of the Azdell litigation. By the time hiring started in 2008, the ALJ corps for ODAR was under 1,000 total. Then there was the breakaway of the Medicare workload and diversion of judges to that program. The result was the free-wheeling hiring frenzy that brought many of us on board. But now the current corps exceeds 1600. And many of the new hires have been a lot younger with the outlook for longer careers than ever before. So there will be retirements and separations from the agency but not at the pace we have seen in the past. There will be fewer slots to fill. Should you abandon this process? No. But you should not pin all of your hopes on it either. If you have other opportunities, don't forego them because you have a NOR.
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Post by tripper on Nov 18, 2016 19:57:59 GMT -5
I just don't know how many more ALJs they can bring on while there is still a hiring freeze for all other staff. Offices around the country are decimated. Someone needs to work up the file and someone needs to write the decision or we simply have not increased our service to the public.
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There is always a nugget. As I read these posts, freeze-no freeze, hiring-no hiring, cert-no-cert, it is like I am being drawn into a hole of good/bad things depending at what time I am reading. I now know what an addict feels like. 
